Comparison
goose vs OpenClaw
How the two compare on the things that decide whether your setup carries over: open standards, license, models and where they run.
| goose | OpenClaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Block, now at the Agentic AI Foundation | OpenClaw community |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Open source |
| Models | Many providers, including local models | See vendor docs |
| Runs in | Desktop, Terminal, API | Local, Messaging |
| MCP | MCP: supported | ?MCP: not yet verified |
| Agent Skills | Agent Skills: supported | Agent Skills: supported |
| AGENTS.md | AGENTS.md: supported | ?AGENTS.md: not yet verified |
| ACP | ACP: supported | ACP: supported |
Key differences
- Both are open source, so you can inspect and self-host either.
- goose also runs in Desktop, Terminal, API; OpenClaw also runs in Local, Messaging.
- goose supports MCP; we have not verified it for OpenClaw.
- goose supports AGENTS.md; we have not verified it for OpenClaw.
- Both support Agent Skills, ACP, so MCP servers, skills and repo instructions you set up carry over if you switch.
In their own words
goose
Open-source, extensible agent with desktop app, CLI and API. Its extensions are MCP servers. A founding project of the Linux Foundation's Agentic AI Foundation.
OpenClaw
Open-source personal assistant that runs locally and lives in the messaging apps you already use, with cron jobs, plugins and approvals.
FAQ
- Is goose or OpenClaw open source?
- goose is open source under Apache-2.0. OpenClaw is open source.
- Do goose and OpenClaw support MCP servers?
- goose: yes. OpenClaw: not verified yet.
- Can I reuse Agent Skills between goose and OpenClaw?
- Yes. Both read the open Agent Skills (SKILL.md) format, so the same skill folder works in both.
Set up MCP servers in either one
More comparisons
Reviewed Oct 5, 2026.